We have sent what we hope will be viewed as constructive opposition to the planned youth shelter to Heybridge Parish Council, as - along with the writer of previous letters -we will be very much affected by it.

We have been in contact with the parish council, letting them know the reality of living in close proximity to the Plantation field and all the behaviour, foul language etc that occurs on a regular basis - particularly under the cover of darkness.

If the parish council really has a firm commitment to the youngsters of Heybridge, the kind of structure needed is a club.

This could be held, say, once a week in the Community Centre.

The sum on £12,000 is mentioned as figure for the proposed shelter. But this would go a long way to providing such a facility - not a "hut" where boredom would be allowed to spill over into destruction.

Such a club would not happen overnight - given that a leader could be appointed it would take a lot of hard work. But once the youngsters realise that this is a facility they could "own" and contribute towards, it could happen.

We are speaking from experience: my husband ran the first youth club in Heybridge, which was then a branch of the Friary in Maldon.

Yes, it was hard work but once the youngsters realised that "rules meant rules" then respect grew and so did the club.

We will monitor this issue very closely as we will be be very much affected should the shelter go ahead. But our objections are based on first hand experience of what is happening in Heybridge on and around the Plantation field, and not from an anti-youth' frame of mind.

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